Shuttle mechanism for looms



Feb. 4, 1930. J. LucAs :TAL y SHUTTLE MECHANISK FOR LOOMS /1 TTOR/VEYS feb. 4, 1930. .1. LUCAS Er Ax..

n SHUTTLE MECHANISH FOR LOOMS Filed Jne 22, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet I 2 v fvwm. 85% A Nv kfw Sr WQ c@ R NQ wm m. l 2M A Feb. 4, 193,0. .1. LUCAS ET Ax.- 11,745,497

SHUTTLE AAECHANIsu Fon Looms l Filed Junezz. 192s 6 sheets-sheet s /mr/fw? fasm CASE f .ATmRA/Eys Feb. 4, 1930. J. LUcAs ET AL y I SHUTTLE uEcHANIsu Fon Locus lFiled June 22. 1928 6 Sh'eetSrSh-eet 4 INVENTOHS w( Qc @c w/mfss Feb. 4, 1.93.0. J. LUCAS ET Ax.

* SHUTTLE uEcHANIsu FOR Looms Filed June 22, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 WITNESS 7gg/76# ATTORNEYS i Patented Feb. 4, 1930 arrasa-Arts PATENT oFFlcE vJONATHAN LUCAS, oF SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, AND ARTHUR 'F.cAsE, or CLEVELAND,

i OHIO, ASSIGNORS '1'.0V LCASrLAl'BORN LOOM CORPORATION', OF NEW YORK, N. Y.,

l CORPORATIONI'OF NEW YORK Y p .SHUTTLE .MECHANSIVI FOR Looms v *,.Applicatioxi led June 22,

Our invention relatesto shuttle mechanism forlooms and has for' its object to provide a pair of reversely reci devices adapted alternatelyto engage and latch a vshuttle ina novel manner. 'whereby the latter is positively .carried back and forth lthrough the shed, the shuttleand the supportingdevices being constructed in a manner to prevent interference or entanglement withy the warp threads comprising the shed. A further'object .ot the invention is to provide a novelform of lshuttle having a comL i, partment capable` oliv accommodating va bobbiny of large sine, andhaving flanges extendqing'late'rally from' said compartment, said Y .y flanges delining lanyopenended housingywithin which the supporting devices travel. In

addition, the invention contemplates aconstruction inwhich thetranslfer of the shut- Y United States patenttol Jonathan Lucas No.

tle vfrom one supporting device tothe other is accomplished automaticallyl at very 'high speed with a minimum ofV friction and in "a uniform and positivemanner, positive lock-v ing devices being provided to prevent prema-v ture release of the shuttle during such transafer. Other more speciicobjectswill appear from the following .description andthe fea- `tores of lnovelty will be pointed ont inthe claims.` f

i y'Ourgpresent invention is an improvement on vthe shuttle mechanism ydisclosed 1n the f 1,624,108, vdated April 12, 1927.

` In ythe accompanying drawings, which il- Alustrate an eaamplev of the invention without;

defining its limits, Fig. 1 is a plan view of theshnt-tle 'and tra.nsfermechanism, the shut'- tle being locatedjatthe center rvof the machine;

Fig-2 isa view in" elevation of the parts' shown in Fig. l; Fig. 3f is' a longitudinal vertical seetionon an enlarged scale through theslm'ttle and vshowi-ng the 'carrier arms with their latching levers approaching each other;

' Fig. 1iis' avi'ew Asimilar to Fig. 3 but showing the partsin a different position; Fig. 5 is a.

horizontal section on the line 5*5 of 3i 5* Fig. o is a side vieivoffthie slinttle; Fig. 7 is a. l,vertical ytransverse section on the line "(3-17 'o'tlig". o; Fig; 8 yverri'eil longitudinal j' .through the bottin oompertinentfof procating sul porting:

. art.

192s. f seria No. 287,511!

theshnttle;-Fig. 9 isla view of the locking mechanismalong the line 9&9 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 10 is a section alongthe line 10-- 10 oi?V of the shuttle transfer mechanism looking at the same from the side opposite the' shuttle; Fig. 14 is a plan view yof Fig. 13; Figs. '15, 16, 17 and 18 are views in elevation showing the latching and locking mechanism of Figs. 13

andld in different positions as the latching levers approach eachotheryand Figs. 19, 20 and 21 show the latching and locking mechanism in different positions as the latching levers recede froineach other after comple tion of the Lshuttle transfer.

In order that the following description may be more readily understood as it progressivelyunfolds, a general idea of the characterof 'the-motion of the *shuttle which the operating .mechanism produces will rst be given. n l

vThe shuttle-operating mechanism about to be described operates in a similar manner to that disclosed inthe patent abovereferred to. Stated generally, the operating mechanism acts continuously upon a shuttle, either through a pull or a push, to reciprocate the same positively through the shed of the loom transversely thereof, the shed being composed of Warp threads running longitudinally of the loom in a manner well 'understood in the Upon the 'shuttle is mounted a bobbin from which the filter or weft thread unreels as the shuttle reciprocates through the shed, the filler jheing thus laid across the warp threads, after which it is compaetedby the beater mechanism in the welll-known manner. The reciprocating mechanism for carrying the shuttle back and `"forth across 'the machine comprises two reciprocating carriers, one at each side of the "machine, which are operated the shuttle thereon and for latching the same thereto, so that as the carrier travels from the center to the side of the machine it may, lbe considered as pulling the shuttle with` it,

while as it returns from theside to the center of the machine, it may be regarded as pushing the shuttle before it. The latching devices on the carriers are arranged to cooperate with latching elements on the shuttle, and the mechanism is so arranged and Constructed, that as the carrierv which supports the shuttle during a given stroke approachesthe center of the machine, (as does also the other carrier) it is automatically unlatched `from the shuttle by the latching mechanism of the other carrier which thereuponv becomes latche'd with the shuttle. As said other carrier travels back to its side of the loom it pulls the shuttle with it; and as it again 'appro aches the center of the machine upon reciprocation,

a similar transfer of the shuttle takes pllace to the first-mentioned carrier. Inthis way the shuttle is given practically a continuous motion across the loom at high speed and in a positivemanner.

In Figs.I 1 and 2 of the drawings we have shown a view ofpart of the actuating and supporting devices for the shuttle mechanism. The numeral 30 represents a portion of the loom developed to constitute a guiding means extending transversely ofthe loom and below the usual shed formed of warp threads, as clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the" aforementioned Patent No. 1,624,108, the

guiding means being so related to theshed as to permit the, shuttle toy be reciprocated' lthrough the latter as will be set forth more-y fully hereinafter. A pair of carriers 32 of suitable form and dimensions are slidably mounted upon the guiding means 30 so as to bereciprocable thereon simultaneously toward and away'from each other. The ,car-

'riers mayf be reciprocated byf any suitabley mechanism such as, for instance, is shown and described in the patent to Jonathan Lucas No. 1,623,258, issued April 5, y1927, in which case the carriers are connected with such mechanism by means of links 33. In the examples illustrated the carriers 32 include uprights 34 connected to horizontal lmembers 35, and, as shown in Fig. 2, may be integral therewith. The carriers 32 may have `an desired cross-sectionprovided only that they are of suliicient strengthto withstand the repeated shocks and strains to whichv they are subjected, and in the form illustrated they have the cross-section of an I-'beam cut away at 36 to reduce the weight thereof. The an'- gular portions 37 of the'carriers are preferably beveled 0r curved,`as shown, so,.th'at the outer surfaces are smooth and free vof projectionsl of anykind.

VFor the purpose of facilitating an under` standing of the shuttle, and the carryingand transfer mechanism, to which our present yin'- vention relates, the same will be described under the followinggeneral headings III. Shuttle details.

A. SmttZ'e.-'-The shuttle 31 includes a bobbin compartment 38 and an open-ended lateral housing 39 (see Figs. 3, 4, 5 Vand 7), the latter being. formed of plates or flanges 40 extending laterally of the bobbin compartment, which flanges7 as shown, may be integral with the outer wall of said compartment.

I. Embodz'ment shown, n Fz'gail to 10 The outer ends 42 of thel plates or flanges 40 arev bent toward each other asshown in Fig. 7

so as to be yparallel with a vertical wall 43 which separates compartment 38 from housin@ 39. Y

Fixedly mounted within the housing are an outer and an inner' setV of guides, forming vertically aligned'outer guiding channels 44A and similarly aligned inner guiding channels 44', respectively (see Fig. 7 the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter. The inner set of guides (i. e. that nearer the bobbin compartment)L is composed ofthe oppositely positioned members 45and 45 located` nearthe' right end of the open-ended housing as viewed in Fig.` 3, and the oppositely positioned members 46 and 46 mountednear the left end of the housing. .The outer set of guides is similarly composed of the members 47 and 47', and 48 and 48. As 'is shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 6, each of the guiding members extends for onlyV a short distance longitudinally of the shuttle. The guiding members `45 and45 are spaced vertically farther apart y from each other than are themembers 46 and 46'; while the members 47 and 47 are ver# tically farther apartfrom each other than are 48 and 48. Fig. 7 shows the more closely spaced members 46, 46 of the inner set and the more distantly spaced members 47, 47 f of the outer set. It will be understood that the more vdistantly spaced guiding members 45, 45 of the inner set are located forwardly (toward thereader) of members 46, 46';v

while thenore closely spaced membersVK 48, 48 of the outer set are similarly positioned with respect to members 47, 47. As will be clear from Fig. 7, the yportions; of the guiding of the carrier arms, vand the manner in which they engagewithzand support the shuttle. f

' Y, members 45,45 and, 47, 47 are wider than the portions defined by the more closely spaced members 46., 46and 48,y 48. The object of this construction will' become apparent in connection with thek description `hereinbelow Upon the bottom flange of the housing 39 yare iixedly mounted tolatch plates 49 and 5,0 spaced from each other in parallelv relation and'symmetricallyfpositioned with respect to the central axis ofthe housing (Fig.

l 7),. yAs illustrated,-the platesy may, in-cross section, form the parallelarms of a Y- and be; Y supported by a common stem5lwhich may be fianged at.' itsfbott-om and secured to the-botf tom flange 40 inany well-known manner, as

by welding, riveting, etc. The inner latch plate 49 is provided with projecting, upward-y ly extending lugs 52-and'53,' and the outerV platei50 is similarlyy provided with lugs 52 f the-latching levers, mounted on the carrierv and 53 yin alignment, respectively, with lugs 52and53-1 Between the latch plates 49 and ,5,0 isi/a guideway or channel 54 for receiving a'rmsto be described below. j

The outer surfaces of the aligned lugs 52,

' 52', are shaped inthe form of. cams'having e shown ,in Figs. 3 and l4.r

ginclined surfaces 5,5, 55. .The lugs`53 and 53 have similar inclined camsurfaces 57 57. The inner opposing faces of the lugs 52,y

53 are slightly inclinedi'to' the yvertical as The above described ,guidig 'means and latch plates cooperate with the rest of the j Y 'latching mechanism mounted upon the carrier farms (which will be described immediately) y cation.-

l y'riers 32 in any suitable way, as by means of.

Vto guide said'arms lwithin the housing 39,r the latclr'plates being engaged by the latching mechanism on said arms during the transferV o fjthe shuttler from one arm -tov the other. The other parts k,of the ,shuttle shown in Figs. 12',-6, 7', 8,11Y and' 12,' are not necessary to an y understanding of the shuttle latching devices andwill be described lfartheron'in the specifi- Ottwz'er arma-Connected to the carc'ontiguousfianges or walls bolted together, are members 59 Vand59 of partially'tubular form; --These members roughly define housings which, are openat 60, 60 and 61, Gland include walls ,'62 and 62, respectively, eX-l f tending in the directionofthe carriers 32 (see Fig. 5).y Attached to the wall 62 eX- teriorly. thereof Vis a carrier arm 63 while a ,similarrarmf is'` attached ltowall 62 but interiorlythereofQf' The armsf63, 63" thus extend .tow-ardt` each. other and are offset with Y respect to each other transversely of the machine, and are so dimensioned that 'they overlap vfor themajor portieri` of their length at the fend of their inward, movement. It will reihennderstoed thatthe. arms, 63,` A63, rare similarly constructed and that the corresponding parts attached thereto kare symmetrically arranged with respect to a vertical plane parallel to the arms and extending midway between them; and further, that the numerals with the prime attached thereto refer to the inner arm and the parts attached thereto, while the numerals without such prime refer to the outer arm and its associated parts. The .arms are composed of rear sections 64, 64 kof greater yheight and forward sections 65, 65 of lesser height, the same being connected by tapered portions 66, 66. The height ofthe sections 64, 64 is equal to the vertical distance between the more distantly spaced guiding members 47, 47 and 45, 45 inthe shuttle housing 39; while the height of the sections 65, 65 isequal to the vertical distance between the more closely spaced guiding-members 48, 46 and 46, 46. As is clearly shown in Fig. 5, the sections 64, 64 are of greater width than sections 65, 65', and the widths of the sections 64, 64 and 65, 65 are approximately equal to the widths of those portions of the guiding channels 44 and y44 which are defined by the more distant-ly spaced guiding members 47, 47 and 45, 45 and by the more closely spaced members 48, 48 and 46, 46', respectively. The larger and wider sections of the arms 63 and 6B are adapted to be received in the larger and wider portions of the channels 44 and 44 respectively, whilethe smaller and narrower sectionsare received in the smaller and narrower portions of said channels. The sections 65, 65 terminate in'ends 66, 66 of reduced width which taper to a point as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. j

B. (1 Latchzng Zwem-. -Pivotally mountat 67 upon arm 63 and arranged adjacent the inner face thereof is a latching lever'GS, preferably of I-beam cross-section; and pivoted at 67 upon arm 63 but arranged adjacent the outer face thereof is a similar lever 68. As seen in Fig. 5, the levers are located in the same vertical planes. The levers are duplicates of each other and terminate in a pair of vertically spaced jaws 69, 70 and 69', 70 respectively,L which bear la resemblance to alligator jaws. The upper or releasing jaws 69, 69 extend forwardlyof the lower jaws and are rovided with upper and lower cam surfaces l, 71 and 72, 7 2. As shown in the drawings, the lower surface 72 or 72 of one .jaw is shaped to engage gradually and ride on the upper cam surface 71 or 7l respectively, of the other jaw as they approach the .center ofv the machine during the reciprocaytion of the carriers 32. The lower or latching jaws are provided with laterally extending hooks 73, 73 so dimensioned as to be capable of bridging the guide-way 54 between the latch plates 49 and 50 of the shuttle housing 39, and engaging the cam surfaces 55, 55 and 57, 57 respectively.

The rearward surfaces 74, 74 of the hooks are slightly inclined to the vertical so as to mate with the inner faces of the lugs V521, y52', 58, 58. Extending for a short distance below the hooks 78, 78 are guiding webs 7 5, 7 5

Stops 76 and 76 (Fig. 10) fixed to the carrier arms are arranged to be engaged by exl tensions 77, 7 7" on the latching levers 68, 68' to limit the downward pivotal movement oi the levers in their idle non-latching .position while guiding brackets 78, 78 likewise fixed to the arms prevent lateral play of said levers.

B. (.8) Locking 'mechanism-As mentioned above, `the forward ends of the upper jaws 69, 69 of the latching lever are' de signed .to engage andcam eachV other, `for a] purpose to be described below. As the ma-f chine is operated at high speed, the danger exists that the levers will be flung upwardlyandk will not-.be in proper position for engaging each other as they approach the center of the machine. Means are therefore provided for locking the levers against the stop bars 76,'

76', which means are adapted to be released prior to the shuttle transfer as saidr levers approach the central position. In the present form of the invention, such locking mechanism includes an angular lever 79 having a locking arm 80 andk a'release or control arm 81 (see Figs. 8, 4, 5 and 9). rihe'lever 79 is pivoted upon a stud82 anchored upon the section 64 of the arm 68 and is constantly urged by a spring 88 to a position wherein the lockon. The plate 88 is removably fastened to the, 6ol

ing' arm 80, which is bent out ofthe plane of i arm 81 as shown in Fig. 9, overlies a projecinto the path of movement of the forward end of arm 68.

rIhe hub of the angular lever 79 bears against a sleeve 87 fitted upon the stud 82 and is locked upon the latter by means of a lock-` ing plate 88 which engages the free end vof the stud 82. VThis plate extendsrearwardly and is bent at a point behind stud 82 toward the arm 68 see Fig. 9), then is bent parallel therewith to form a section 89 resting againstl said arm; it is then bent forwardly-and finally downwardly, the bifurcated end 90 thereof engaging the pivotal stud 67 and thereby locking the hub of the latching lever 68 therearm 68 by any suitable means,as by a screw 92. It will be evident thatupon removal of the screw and disengagement of plate 88 from studs 82 and 67, the locking lever and latching lever may be easily removed from the mechanism for replacement or repair.

It will'fbe understood-that a locking mechranism similar to the above isi associated with Y the arm 68, corresponding parts being indicated bythe same numerals but with a prime Y attached, except that the parts will be arranged symmetricallyv with respect to a vertical plane passing through levers 68 and 68 and also through a vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis ofthe machine.

' O. umpers.'-'I `he mechanism for pushing the shuttle from the sid-e of the machineto which it has been carried by the arm to which it is latched back to the center of the machine comprises a lbumper composed of a block 98 slidably mounted upon a pair of horizontally extending posts 94 mounted within` the'housing 59. The block is urged outwardl ly, byV a pair of springs 95 coiled around said posts. Upon theouter face of the'block 98 is a resilient cushion 96 Vmade of rubber or similar material. This cushion is directly in line with an abutment "97 projectingexternally of the shuttle housing. The outward movement of the bumper is limited by a pin 98 extending within an aperture 99 in a rearward extension V of the block V98. It will Y be understood lthat a similar .mechanism isv arranged within the housing 59 and that: a

similar abutment .97 is located upon the oppositev side of the shuttle. The .transverse walls of the housings 59, 59are apertured at 99a, 99a to receive the endsvofhtheshuttle as` shown in Fig. 5. 1

j D. Operetten-.The operation of the mech-` anism thus far described is asfollows: It will be assumed thatv the ,shuttleV is in latched position upon the outer arm 68 and is being pushed forward by the bumper 98 toward the center of the machine as shown in Fig. 8. As' is clearly shown insaid figure the hook 78 of the latching lever 69 is in Vposition between V the lugs 52 and 58 and rests upon'the' surface which connects these lugs in such a manner.

that the jaw 69 `is held'above the" .jaw 69 of the other latching lever 68 which is idle and is resting in its lowermostposition upon the stop 76. The locking arm 8O is positioned' above the projection 84 while they-locking arm 80 `is positioned above theA projection 84,

there being some clearance between-80 and 84 due to the fact that the latching llever 69V is in its lowermost position. The roller 86 of i the release arm 81 extends into the path of the front tapered end of the arm 68 while the roller 86 of the release arm 81 extends into the path ofthe tapered end of arm 68. As the arms continue to approach each other thereleasearms 81, 81 will be rocked by the forward ends of the arms 68, 68, thereby removing the locking'arms 80, 80 from above the projections 84, 84,` thus enabling latching levers 68, 68V to swing upwardly(` Immediately upon such release of said levers 68, 68,the hook 78 of lever 68 engages ther gently inclinedcam surfaces 57, 57 and premovement thereof relatively tothe shuttle. 1

ceeds to ride thereupon. Thecam surface 71' .at the `forward end'ofl the releasing jaw 69' then engages the lower cam surface 72 upon the'forward end of the corresponding jaw 69 and as the hook proceeds to ride yup the cam surfacesv57, 57',1the jaw 69, by the cooperation of cam surfaces 71' and 72, is lifted and the hoolr73 of the latching lever 68 is raised from in' front of the lug 52. As can be seen 4from said Fig.13, the parts are so arranged that a slight clearance-will exist vbetween the front face` of lug 52 andthe opposing face 'i of hoolr so as to facilitate the raising of :the hook from in fronti of the lug. As the c zo hook 7 3 clears-the top 'of the lug 52, the'hook 73'drops by lgravity to a position in front ofthe lug 53. The parts have by this time reached their central position and the return stroke to the side of the machine is about to take place. Upon movement kof the arm 68 toward its `side of the machine as shown by the right-hand arrow in Fig. \4, the hook ,member 78 by engagement thereof with the f f lug 53 will pullthe shuttle tow-ard said side of the machine.

It will be seen from Fig.f3 that the reduced section 65 of the arm- 63 which is latched to th'eshu'ttle is located between the guides 48,

48' and Acontacts with the same. Similarly the section 64 of increased-height is positioned between the more distantly spaced guides 47 47 and similarly contacts therewith. In this manner the shuttle is supported upon the arm to which it is latched. `Referring now to the i armesinsaid Fig; an wiubeseenthatthe reduced end 65 of said arm is located between themore distantly spaced guides 45, and therefore does not-contact the same at this position of the arm relatively to the shuttle.

'Howeverg as said arm continues to move towardthecenter ofthe machine the `section '65 enters the section of channelof reduced height'and width defined by the guide members 46,46' while at the Sametime the enlarged section 64 enters the section of the channelof enlarged width and height defined "by the guide members 45, 45". It willr be evident that by virtue ofV this construction lthe arms will engage with the bounding surfaces of the guiding channels only toward the end of their ymotion'towardthe center of the machine so that 'friction between the parts will be reduced toa minimum. Similarly, 'when the arm- 63 becomes disengaged from the shuttle, after the transfer ofthe latter from' the latching mechanism of arm 63 to that of f theother arm has been effected as above de-` scribed, the sections 64,65 will become completely disengagedk from Vthe bounding surfaces ofthe channel 44 after only a small The differences between the vmodification shown in Figs. 13-21 and the embodiment above described, which relate to the operation of the latching levers, will first be given, and

after the operation has been explained the other variations will be described.

A. Situada-Referring to Figs. 13 and 14, the' shuttle 101 is provided with latch plates T49, similar to those on shuttle ldescribed shown in Fig. 13, the arms may be of skeleton y form'to reduce their weight.

(l) Latchz'ng levers-The latching levers 105, 105' shown in Figs. 13-21 are,'lil{e the corresponding levers 68, 68', pivoted upon' the carrier arms and are provided with upper releasing jaws 69, 69' and lower latching jaws 70, 70', the latter having the hooks 7 3, 73', and the guiding webs 75, 75'. (It will be obvious that as Figs.` 13-21 are viewed from the reverse side relative to Figs. 1-5, the inner arm will `be mounted at the left i-n Figs. 13-21 and the position of the numerals with prime attached will therefore be reversed.) The cam surfaces 71, 71 and 72, 7 2' on the upper releasing jaws differ somewhat from the corresponding surfaces of the jawsshown in Figs. 3 and 4, in that while in thelatter figures the yupper surfaces 71, 71' are inclined, while the lower surfaces 72, 72' are substantially horizontal, the reverse is true'ofthemodification embodied in Figs. 153-21. It will be understood, however, that the form of these cam surfaces may be varied to conform to any desired curves provided only that a lifting action is exerted by one lever on the other as they are moved into engagement when they are out of alignment as 'shown in Figs. 3 and 16. Projecting above the lreleasing jaws 69, 69' at a point removed from the forward ends thereof are cam f ,fingers 106, 106fwhose purpose will ybe deto ,prevent prematurefupward movement thereof comprises'angular levers 109,109 pivlotedy at one end upon studs 110, 110 fixed upon the carrier arms. Pins l111,111' project from the angular portion of levers 109, 109" and are arranged to engage curved surico faces 113, 113 (Fig. 13)' on the top of latching levers 105, 105'.. The angular levers 109,

- willengage a portion thereof to vlock the Vlatching levers bothy when the latter are in raised latching position and when they are in lowered yidle position. As is evident from Fig. 13, the pins' 111,111 will engage amore rearward portion of said curved surfaces when the levers 105, 105 are in latching position, due to the fact that the latching levers oscillate in a path which is eccentric to the pivotal center of the levers 109, 109.v At the free ends of the levers 109, 109 are mounted rollers 1153 and 115b which project into the path of theY forward ends of the opposite carrier arms. A spring 116,116 coiled about studs 117, 117 is anchored at one end upon the carrier arms and at its other end engages the respective latching levers 105, 105 to urge the same kagainst their respective lower stops 107, 107. Thelocking levers and the latching levers are locked upon their respective pivot studsby means of locking bars or plates 118, 118 having bifurcated ends which embrace the said studs, thebars being removably fastened to the carrier arms by means of rivet 119, 119 or by any other suitable fastening means.

movement by the pin 111 and isat the same time held in position in front of lugs 52 by means of the spring 116. The idle latching lever 105 in this positionofthe mechanism rests upon its bottom stop 107 being urged downwardly by thel spring 116 and locked against upward movement by the pin 111 upon locking lever 109. Referring to Figs. 16-21 which illustrate the shuttle transfer movement by steps in several successive positions of the mechanism, it will `be seen from Fig. 16 that, after the Vforward ends of the carrier arms have passed beyond the center of the machine, theyengage the rollers 1153, 115), respectively, and thereby swing the levers 109, 109 so as to disengage the pins 111, 111 from the surfaces 113, 113. Immeeov diately upon such release of the locking levers the hook 73 of latching lever 105 begins to ride upon the gently inclined surfaces 57, 57

of'latching plates 49, 50 as showninFigs.

jaw 69 of the latchedlever 105. As' the latching levers continue/to approach each other the hook 73 continues to ride upon the inclinedsurfaces 57, 57 and the releasing jaw` 69 raises the locking jaw y70 of the latched lever, and the latter is lifted as shown in Fig. V17 until'its hook 73 clearsthe yforward face of the lugs 52, 52. At the same time the cam finger 106 engages the inclined cam surface `or stop 103 on the cam plate 102 and Serves thereby to position the shuttle properly with respectfto the latching levers. Fig. 18 shows;v` `the parts in their centralposition, the carrier actuating mechanism having .completed its inward stroke.l In this position of the parts it will be seenthat the lever 105 has been completely disengaged from the latch plates 49, 50, andthat the lever 105 is in position to drop with its hook 7 3 infront of lugs 53, 53. Y

kFigs.y 19-211 show the latching levers on their return stroke to the side of the ma#y chine. As the lever 105 moves farther to the right as shown in Fig. 19, the top of the camV finger 106 engages the inclinedsurface 104 which, as the lever continues its movement to theright, exerts a downward push thereon. At the'same time the releasing jaw V69 withdraws from between the jaws 69, of said last-mentioned lever, but as itwithdraws, ay

downward push is exerted 'thereon by the ]aw 69 due to the camming action of surface 104 upon finger 106. This downward push istransmitted to the 'latching jaw 70 and `f 116 acts along with the cooperating cams 106, 104t0 urge the latching jaw 70 into locking engagement with said lugs.-

VD. Safety mechanisch-During the continuous operationof the ,machine the action of locking levers 109, 109 may become uncertain through fatigue` or breakage of the springs 114,114 orfsaid levers may become caught or broken so asto be ventirely inefecY- tive upon latching levers 105, In such event the lever 105, as shown in Fig. 15, is,Y

likely' to be thrownupwardly against its Vupper limitingstop, in which Vcase it will not be in proper operative relation with respect tothe latched lever 105 to unlatchy thek sameg y s To provide for such contingencies, a safety mechanismin the formof a cam piece119, 119 is provided, which cam pieces are hinged upon the ends .of the cam'rplate 102 in such manner that an inclined ycam surface 12.0,k

120 is interposed in the path of the relaas ing jaws. As shown in Fig.Y 15, upon movej ment of the latching levers toward eachother and toward the center .of the machine-the .forward end of the `releasing lever 69 engages this cam surface 120 kand is forced by the latter to assume the proper operative position show-nin Fig. 16 with respect to the latched lever 105, such proper position being further insured by the engagementof the cam Y finger 106l with said .camfsurface The cam pieces are so moun-ted as to be rigid in an inward direction (i. e. toward the center of the machine)rbutv will-swing freely in the reverse direction. 'The cam pieces 119, ,119',

n n upon return ofthe'latching levers to the side Vof the machine, are swung upwardly as shown in Fig. y20.

f E. Guiding mechanism-T h e g ui din g mechanism in the modified form of the invention `may be of the same type as that shown in `Figs.3, 4, 5 ,and 7, but in the present instance is shown as being composed of two bands 122, 122 extending outwardly from the bobbin compartment 38. of the shuttle 101 (see Fig. 14). Extending between and centrally of these bands and attached thereto is the cam platel102 While directly below the latter are the latching plates 49, 50. The two bandsy yare providec`lwith guiding channels defined by guiding members constructed and arranged similarly to the guiding members lshown insaid Figs. 3,4, 5.and 7. The carrier arms are likewise constructed similarly to the Varms heretofore described and engage they guidingmembers in the same way. i nur. Asa/m26k demas The shuttle, as shown in the drawingsis of elongated form and the ends thereof taper to a point asgshown at 125. The purpose of thisconstruction is to enable the forward end ofthe shuttler tocam upwardly any loose f warpthreadslthat may be in its path and thus avoid breaking vor'entanglement of vsuch i threads. The angular portions 37 ofthe carrier karms are curved for the same reason.

` bobbin 1,27 composed ofthread wound on a core 128', which is adapted to it over a spindle 129 pivoted at 130 within the bobbin compartment 38 of the shuttle. The bobbin core 128 is held against rotation on said spindle by means of vflanges 131 which project from an end of the core and engage pins 132 fixed upon a-n enlarged portion of the spindle. The hub yof the spindle is provided with a lug 133 and with a slot or depression 134 which are arranged to be engaged by a spring detent'135 fastened to af'bracket 136 rigidly mountedfwithin the shuttle and adapted to hold the spindle resiliently either in operative position with the bobbinthereon, ,as shown in full lines in Fig. 8, or in inoperative position, as shown in dotted4 lines, projecting through the opening 126 of the shuttle for the insertion or removal of a bobbin.V A tail-piece 137 on the hub of the spindle is arranged to engage a projection 138 on the bracket 136 to limit the downward movement of the spindle. The opening 126, atits end farthest from the spindle support, communicates with an inclined slot 126L upon the front face of the shuttle (see Figs. 2 and 6) which -slot terminates in a substantially hor-izontal section 126". y

Attached to the shuttle externally thereof and` at the side opposite to the housing 39 isa tension mechanism housing138 including an outer plate or wall 139 and `an inner plate orwall 140. f The housing is open at the top as shown at 141, and the outer and inner walls are slotted at 142, the slots extending substantially horizontally, then turning downwardly and merging vwith openings 143 extending through the walls in alignment with each other. The outer and inner walls are joined together in V fashion at their free ends as shown aty 144 in Fig. 1. A tension lever 145 having a bearing 146 thereon is journalledA in the walls 139, 140. The lever is in general of channel shape ,(see Figs. 11 and 12) having a web or top portion 147 and side flanges 148. The web 147 is depressed longitudinally to form a channel 149 and is notched transversely as shown at 150. A finger 151 formed with a semicircular bend at 152 passes through an opening in the web 147 at the side ofthe notch farther from bearin-g 146, thearm 153 of the linger being connected, as by welding, to the under side of the web. As shown in Fig. 11, the bend 152 of linger 151 overlies the notch 150 so as to form a substantially circular opening therewith. The portion of the bend opposite arm 153 ts within channel 149 so that the circular opening offers no egress to a thread or yarn extending therethrough; in other words, such yarn, when vonce threaded into the opening, cannot accidentally slip backinto the channel 149. The other arm 154 of the finger 151 is curved upwardly away from the web 147 in such a manner as to leffect raising of lever 145 when from the bobbin 127 is passed .around aguiding member 155a (Fig. 1), through slot 126% 126", then pulled through the space 156 (F ig. 7) between the inner wall and the front face 0f the shuttle. The yarn is then reversely looped lin front ofthe common lor vV end 144 of the walls 139, 140, and engaged in the horizontally vregistering slots 142I below said V end. The thread is pulled rearwardly, resting -on the'lower side'of slots 142, and as the loop moves rearwardly it raises the finger 151, thereby also raising lever 148, as'shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6, until the channel 149 is approximately on a level with'the slots 142, whereupon the loop of yarn enters said channeland passing rearwardly through the same engagesthe under side of the bend 152. The manually produced tension in the yarn' is then released and the lever 148 and the linger 151V drop by gravity, the yarn passing through the vertical portions of slots 142 and finally engaging the under sides of the openings 143. It will thus be seen that when threaded through the tension mechanism, the yarn passes from between the inner wall 140 and the front face of the shuttle through the opening 143 in said inner wall, into the housing 138 beneath the bend 152 of finger 151 and out through the opening143 in the outer wall 139, the liners 155 serving to guide and provide an extended supporting surface for the yarn. As the yarn is unwound from the bobbin and laid across the warp threads in the shed, the weight of the tension lever 145 thereon produces a constant and uniform tension on the thread.

The various partsof the mechanism above described, including the shuttle transfer devices, the shuttle and the'tensioning mecha-v nism, may be made of sheet metal, producing a struct-ure of small weight which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture; It will'be clear from the operation ofthe devicethat we have provided a mechanism whereby the shuttle is transferred across the-shed in a positive and .uniform manner along ag definite path. and is always under the controlof the transfer mechanism'. Our mechanism is so constructed that the transfer'ofY the shuttle from one arm to the other is effected in a gradual manner free y on the machine and the noises are reduced to a minimum.y `The carriers and rcarrier arms are of simple construction and the latter l are completely and compactly housedwithin lateral extensions on the shuttle vduring the shuttle transfer. The shuttle is securely sup ported by the arm to which it is latched in a manner free from binding action and the shuttle arms are so formed and dimensioned as shown in the drawings, that should 'any loose warp threads hang down' in :the shed, they will be cammed away fromthe latching mechanism by a forward tapered end of either the shuttle or the idle arm so that entanglement or breaking of the yarn is prevented. As shown in Figs. 3and 13, the outer ends of the housings 59, 59 are curved upwardly for the same purpose. Our mechanism further includes positive locking means arm to the other and viceversa. l

a shuttle and safety devices to insure yproper engagement of the latching elements.

Our invention embraces also a novel form Y ofrshur'ttle designed'to' cooperate efficiently with the latching mechanism and provided l, with a novel form of bobbin support and withl a novel tensioning mechanism through whichr the yarn can be quicklyv andl easily threaded and whicheXerts a positive and uniform tension onsaid yarn. f

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the claims without departing from 'the spirit of the invention.

pair of carrier arms movable `toward and away from each otherand disposed in offset relations, guiding members in said housing defining guiding channels for said arms within which the latter fit, said arms being adaptedto support said shuttlein alternate se'- quence, latching mechanism on said shuttle, and latching members on said arms arranged to .lockV alternately with said-mechanism whereby the shuttle is transferred from-l one 2. In a loom, the combination of having a bobbin compartment vand an open'- ended housing arranged laterally thereof, a pair of carrier arms movableV toward and Vaway from each other' and disposed inoffset relation, guiding members in said housing defining guiding channels lfor said arms, said V'arms beingfadapted to support saidfshuttle in alternate sequence, latching mechanism on said shuttle, and jlatchingmembers on said arms arrangedvto lock alternately with said mechanism whereby the shuttle is transferred from one arm to the other and vice versa, each o f said channels being of greaterheight rearwardly andA of 'lesser height forwardly, said arms being likewise of greater height rearwardly and of lesserheight forwardlyfand adapted Vto--fit within their respective channels only toward the end of their inward latching stroke, whereby friction between said arms and said guiding members isreduced `to a minimum. Y y

3. Ina'loom, the combination ofashuttle having a bobbin compartment andan open-V ended-housing arranged'laterally thereof, a pair of carrier arms movablev toward and away from each other and arranged in offset relation, guiding members in said housing defining guiding channels forsaid arms with'- in which the latter fit, saidarmslbeing adapted to support said shuttle in alternate sequence, latching mechanism 'on said shuttle, latchingmembers on said arms arranged to lock alternately with said mechanism where-V by the shuttle is transferred from one arm to the Vother and vice versa, locking mecha-l nism for said latching members, land means for `releasing said locking mechanism prior to support said shuttlein alternate sequence,

latchingmeclianism on said shuttle, latching members on said arms arranged to lock alternately with said mechanism whereby the shuttle isftransferred from one arm to the other and viceversa, locking mechanism for said latching members, yand means for releasing said locking mechanism prior to the shuttle transfer, saidlocking mechanismincluding a locking arm pivoted upon each vcarrier arm and arranged in the path of movement of the associated latching member and positionable substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of saidmember.

i 5. Ina loom, th combination of a shuttle lh avinga bobbin compartment and an open-l ended housingl arranged laterally thereof, a pair of carrier arms movable toward and away from yeach otherv and arranged in offset relation, guiding members in said housing delining .guiding channels for said arms within which the latter it, said arms being adapted to support said shuttlein alternate sequence,

latchinglmechanism #on said shuttle, latching members on said arms arranged to lock alter- .nately with said mechanism whereby the shuttle is transferred from one arm to the other land vice versa, locking mechanism for said latching members, and meansfor releasing said locking mechanism prior to the shutltle transfer', said locking mechanism includn inga locking arm pivoted upon each carrier arm and arranged in the path of movement i of the associated latching member and posi- Vtionable ysubstantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said member, and said releasingmeans including a release arm connected to said locking arm and extending into the path of movement of the other carrier karm tobe yrocked thereby to withdraw said lockinglarm from the path of movement of said member'.l Y

y 6'.v In a loom, the combination of a shuttle, a pair of carrier armsmovable toward and away from each other in offset relation and adapted to support said shuttle in alternate sequence, latching mechanism on said shuttle,

latching members on said arms arranged to lock `alternatelywith said mechanism where-y bythe shuttleL is transferred yfrom one arm to theother and vice versa, positive locking mechanism for saidmembers for preventing premature movement thereof mounted on y saidarms, and means forireleasing said locking mechanism prior-to the shuttle transfer.

7 In a loom, the combination of a shuttle, a pair of carrier arms movable toward and away from each other in odset relation and adapted to support said shuttle in alternate sequence, latching mechanism on said shuttle,

movable latching members on said arms ar- Vin the path of movement of the associated latching member and positionable substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said member.

8. In a loom, the combinationof a shuttle, a pair of carrier arms movable toward and away from each other in offset relation and adapted to support said shuttle in alternate sequencelatching mechanism on said shuttie, latching members on said arms arranged to lock alternately with said mechanism whereby they shuttle is transferred from one arm to the other and vice versa, positive locking mechanism for said members for preventing premature movement thereof, and means for releasing said locking mechanism prior tothe shuttle transfer, said locking mechanism including a locking arm pivoted upon each carrier arm and arranged in the path of movement of the associated latching member and positionable vsubstantially at right anglesy to the longitudinal axis of said member, and said releasing means including a release arm con nected to said locking arm and extending into the path of lmovement of the other carrier arm to be rocked thereby to withdraw said locking arm from the' path of movement of said member. y

9. In a loom, the combination of a shuttle,

a pair of carrier arms movable toward and l away from each other and arranged to support said shuttle in alternate sequence, lugs mounted on said shuttle, and latchingmembers on said arms adapted alternately tov engage said lugs and to be operated one by the other and released from said lugs whereby said shuttle is automatically transferred from one carrier arm to the other and vice versa, said latching members each including a latching jaw adapted to engage said lugs anda releasing jaw adapted to be engaged by the releasing jaw of the other member to unlatch the associated latching jaw from said lugs.

10. In a loom, the combination of al shuttle, a pair of carrier arms movable toward and away from each other and arrangedfto support said shuttle in alternate sequence, a pair of spaced aligned cam plates fixed on said shuttle and forming a guideway there b etweemlugs on said plates, latching levers other lever out of latching engagement with said lugs. Y

11; In aloon, the combination of a shuttle, a pair of carrier arms movabletoward and away from each other and arranged to'support said shuttle in alternate sequence, apair y of spaced aligned cam plates vfixed on saidshuttle and Vforming a guideway therebetween, lugs on said plates, latching levers pivoted on said arms to co-planar relation and inthe plane of said guideway, hooks on said levers arranged to contact the cam surfaces of said cam plates and to span said guideway, said hooks cooperating with said lugs to latch the shuttle to said arms alternately, a releasing element on each of said latching levers projecting forwardly of its' associated hook and adapted, as said hook engages said cam surfaces, to lift the other lever out of latching engagement with said lugs, anda guiding web projecting below each of said hooks and adapted to enter said guideway to position said levers in operative relation to each other. y

12. In a loom, the combination of a shuttle, a pair of carrier arms movable toward 'and away from each other and arranged to support said shuttle in alternate sequence, lugs mounted on saidshuttle, movable latching members on said arms, said members including latching hooks and forwardly extending releasing elements, and adapted alternately7 Vto engage saidlugs and to be operated one by the other and released from said lugs whereby said shuttle is automatically transferred from one carrier arm to the other and viceversa, locking mechanisms mounted on said arms for locking said members in latching or in idle position and means for releasing f said lugs and to be operated one by the other and released from said lugs whereby said shuttle' is automatically transferred from one carrier arm to the other and vice versa, locking mechanisms for locking said-members in latching or in idle position, each of said locking mechanisms comprising a locking' arm position approximately at right angles to the longitudinalaxis of the associated latching Y member to prevent upward swinging movement thereof, a control arm rigidly connected to said lockingfarm and having a portionY thereof projecting into the path of the other carrier arm, and a cam upon the forward end of each carrier arm adapted to engage the projecting portion of saidcontrolv arm to swing said locking arm away from the associated latching lever prior to the unlatch-V ing of the latched member. i

14. 'In a loom, the combination of a shuttle, a vpair of carrierarms movable toward and away fromeach other and arranged to ,sup-V port said shuttle in alternate sequence, lugs n.

mounted on said shuttle, latching membersv on said arms adaptedalternately to' engageVV said lugs and to be operated one by the other and released from said lugsv whereby said shuttle is automatically transferred from one carrier arm to the other yand vice versaposi-` tioning elements associated with said latching members for resisting vupward movement thereof, and means for directing said members into proper releasing'position upon failure of said positioning elements.

In a loom, the combination of a shuttle, a pair of carrier armsmovable ytoward and away from each other jand arranged'to support said shuttle in alternate sequence, lugs mounted on 'sa-id shuttle, latching members on said arms adapted alternately tol-engage said lugs and to b'eoperated one by theother and -releasedpfrom said lugs whereby 'said shuttle is automatically transferred from one carrier arm to the other and vice versa,V

positioning elements associated with said latching members for resisting upward movement thereof, and means for'. directing said members into proper'releasingposition upon failure of said positioning elements,said'last mentioned means including 1a cam mountedVv on said shuttle and engageable byfallatching iio memberrwhen the latter is in abnormally j raised position. 1

16. In a loom, the combination of a shuttle,

a pair of carrier armsmovable toward and,

said lugs and to be operated one 'by the other v and released from said lugs wherebysaid shuttle is automatically transferred from one carrier armto the other and vice versa,

positioning elements associated with said' v latching members ,for resisting upward movement thereof, and means for directing saidk members'into proper releasing'position upon failure of said positioning elements, said last-mentioned means including a cam pivot-rv red upon the shuttleand engageableby a latching member when the latter is in abnorisof v mally raised position, said cam being rigid in an inward direction but swingableputwardly inl thek opposite direction out ofthe path' of the latching member.

17; In a loom, thecombination of a shuttle, a pair of carrierarms movable' toward and away from each other and arranged to support saidv shuttle in alternate'sequence, lugs mounted on said shuttle, latching members on said arms, said Vmembers, including latching hooks# and forwardly extending releasing elements, and adapted alternately to engage said `lugs and to be operated one by the other and .released from said lugs whereby said shuttle is automatically transferred from one carrier arm to the other and viceversa, locking mechanisms for locking said members in Y latching or 1n idle position, each of said locking mechanisms comprising a locking arm pivoted on the carrier arm and movable `to a position approximately at right angles to the longitudinal aXis of the associated latching member to prevent upward swinging f movement thereof,a stop, a spring urging said locking arm againstsaid stop to deterl`mine the locking position of said arm, a control arm rigidly connected to said locking arm and having a portion thereof projecting into the path of the other carrier arm, a cam kupon the forward end of each carrier arm adapted to engage the projecting portion of ksaid control arm to swing said locking arm away from the associated latching lever prior said lugs and to be operated one by the other and released fromsaid lugs whereby said shuttle is automatically transferred from one carrier arm to the other and vice versa, cam surfaces on each of said latching members adapted to cooperate with complemental cam surfaces on the other member whereby, as 'said latching members approach each other, the latched member is cammed uphwardly to clear the lugs on the shuttle, and

a pressure exerting `element mounted on the shuttle and cooperating with the unlatched j member to force the other member into latchgeo vingy engagement with its lug to complete the shuttle transfer. c

19. In a loom, the combination of a shuttle, a pair of carrier arms movable toward and away from each other and arranged to supporty said shuttle in alternate sequence, lugs mounted on said shuttle, latching members on said arms adapted alternately to engage said lugs and to be operated lonelby the other and released from said lugs whereby said shuttle -is automatically transferredv .from one carrier arm to the other and vice versa, said latching members each including a latching jaw adapted to engage said lugs `and a releasing jaw adapted to 4be engaged by the releasing jaw of the other 'member Ato unlatch the associated latching jaw from ysaid lugs, cooperating cam surfaces on the upper and lower sides of said vreleasing jaws whereby, as said latching levers approachI each other, the latched jaw is cammed upwardly yout 'of engagement ywith the lug yon said shuttle, a cam plate mounted on said kshuttle above said lugs and having inclinedcamfsurfaces thereon, and la cam fingerv ony each of said levers arranged to engage one of saidinclined cam surfaces to be cammed 4downwardly thereby to exert pressure on saidv releasing jaws to maintain Vthe same in contact during the `separating lmovement y'of said jaws 4toforce lthe other latching jaw into lengagement `with its corresponding lug to ycomplete the :shuttle transfer.v i i l 20. Ina loom, the combination :of asshuttle, apair' of ycarrier arms #movable toward andxaway from each other andfarranged to support said shuttle in alternate-sequence, lugs mounted onesaid shuttle, latching memya releasing j aw adapted to .beengaged .by the releasing jaw -of the-othermember to unlatch the associated latching jaw from saidhigs,

bers on said arms adapted alternately to feni cooperating `cam surfaces on the upper and lower sides ofsaidreleasing ,jaws whereby, assaid latchingflevers approach Ieach other, the latched jaw' .is l cammed `upwardly out nof engagement with fthe lug'on said shuttle, a cam plate mountedion said shuttle above 4said lugs andhaving a pair of camfsurfacesv associated withfeachlatching'levenand a cam finger on each of said llevers arrangedto contact one of said cam surfaces on the :inward f stroke as the; lever i'szunlatched from the shuttle -to position the latter for transfer tothe otherlever, the finger being arranged toengage alsothe other ofrsaid pa-ir of cam surfaces as the unlatched lever'withdrawsffrom the shuttle to be cammed downwardlythereby, whereby ypressure is exertedfonsaidreleasing jaws to maintainthe samein contact during the separating movement of said :jaws

toforce the other latchingfjawi-into engage- 2 ment with-its corresponding ,lugto complete the shuttle transfer. A

2l.` Ina loom, ,thefcombination of a shuttle,a rpair of carrier/arms movable .toward landaway from "each vother and arranged 'to support vsaid shuttle in alternate sequence, lugs vmounted on said shuttle, latohing members on said arms adapted alternately to engage'said ylugs andvto be voperated one by the other and released from said lugs whereby said' shuttle vis automatically transferred from one carrier arm to the other and v ice versa, and apositioning cam fixed to said Shuttle and engageable by the' unlatched member to position the shuttle in proper relation with respect to the other latching member to be latched thereby.

y'22. In a loom, the combination of a shuttle,l a pairof carrier arms movable toward and away from each other and arranged to support saidl shuttle in alternate sequence,

lugs mounted on said shuttle, latching members on said arms adapted alternately to engage. said lugs and to be operated one bythe other and released from said lugs whereby said shuttle is automatically transferred from one .carrier arm tothe other and vice versa', and cooperating pairsof cam members on said jaws and onrsaid shuttle yalternately operative during the separating movementV of said ylatching members to cam the latching member to whichthe shuttle has been transferred positivelyl into engagement with its associated'lug.

23. In a loom, the combination of a shuttle, a pair ofcarrierk arms movable toward and away ffrom'each other and arranged to support said shuttle in alternate sequence,v lugs mounted on said shuttle, latching members on said arms adaptedffalternately to engage said path of movement of the associated latching' member and positionable substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said member, each of said latching members having a stop thereon provided with an inclined surface adapted to be engaged by said locking arm when said member is in idle or in latching position, whereby said member is locked by said arm in both said positions.

JONATHAN LUCAS. ARTHUR F. CASE. Y

lugs and'to he opearted one by the other and released from said lugs wherebysaidshuttle is automatically transferred from one carrier l arm to the other and vice versa, cooperating pairs of cam members on said/jaws and on said shuttle alternately operative during the yunlatching operation to position said shuttle v'with respect to the latchingl memberto which the shuttle is to'be transferred, and additional cams on said shuttle operative alternately during the rseparating movement ofl said latching` members to cam'the latching niember to which the shuttle has been transferred ,i i

positively into engagement withv itsy associated lug. p Y f f 24; In, aloom,l the combination of a shuttle,

a pair of carrier arms `movable toward and" away from each other inolfset relation and adapted to support said shuttle in alternate sequence, latching mechanism on said shuttle, movable latchingmembers on said arms arranged to lock alternately with saidmechanism whereby the shuttle is transferred from one arm to the other and vice versa, positive locking mechanism for said members for preventing premature movement thereof, and means for releasing said locking mechanism prior to the shuttle transfer, n said locking Imechanism including a' locking' arm p ivoted yupon each carrier arm. and arranged in they 

